Responsiveness

It's been a theme over the past couple of days for some reason - I've heard several people say how surprised they are to receive a return phone call from a lawyer within 24 hours.

It just doesn't seem that difficult to me.

Fairfield Warde Presentation

Vicki and Jeremy presented last week to Fairfield High new drivers on the new teen driving laws, legal consequences for drinking and driving, parental liability for parties, sexting and cyber bullying.

http://www.victoriaferrara.com/

Fairfield Rental Requirement

Not many people are aware of this, but the Town of Fairfield requires that a "Certificate of Rental Occupancy" be filed with the Health Department prior to a tenant taking possession of residential property pursuant to a lease agreement.  Once the application is filed, the Town schedules an inspection, and following a satisfactory inspection, the Certificate is issued.

There are substantial per diem civil penalties for failing to comply, but noncompliance may also result in criminal charges being brought through Housing Court.

We at the Law Offices of Victoria Ferrara represent both landlords and tenants, and would be happy to advise you, protect your rights, and assist you in compliance with applicable law.

http://www.victoriaferrara.com/

Feedback from another satisfied RE client

“Thanks so much Kim and Jeremy for everything, you guys have been amazing to work with.  We appreciate all of your help and support and would be more than happy to tell our friends about you and we would always be happy to be a reference for you guys!

We look forward to working with you again, although not too soon, moving is stressful :-)” 

Protections for Tenants of Foreclosed Homes

Recently enacted Public Act 11-201 provides protections for tenants of foreclosed homes in Connecticut. The lender in a foreclosure action must now take title subject to the rights of "bona fide" tenants. Tenants with month-to-month leases must be given at least 90 days notice before eviction. "Bona fide" tenants who entered into a lease before the lender takes title must be allowed to remain until the end of the lease term, unless the lender sells the property to a buyer who will occupy it as his or her primary residence.
Courtesy of Steve Maggiola's "Title Tidbits."

In order to have a "bona fide" tenancy which qualifies for this protection, the tenant cannot be the mortgagor's child, spouse, or parent, and the lease must be the result of an arms-length transaction at a fair market rent.
The Act specifies that these provisions do not affect the termination requirements for any federal or state subsidized housing.

For Pet Owners/Animal Lovers!

What do you guys think? Recently, I helped out friends trying to recover against someone who caused the death of their 1 year old English Bulldog. Law says she was personal property, and the general rule in CT is that recovery is limited to the replacement value of the animal. Interesting article from a couple months ago was posted by a fellow CTLA member: http://www.ctlawtribune.com/ge​tarticle.aspx?ID=40084

Consequences of Budget Cuts to Judicial Branch

http://www.jud.ct.gov/external/news/BudgetPlan_071511.pdf